Disaster damaged roads and transport infrastructure in regional New South Wales are set to be repaired in just three months through $296 million of fast-tracked funding.
The money flowed between April and June after the New South Wales Government announced the delivery of a series of new pilot funding agreements between councils, the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW.
Before the introduction of tripartite agreements, councils had to spend their own money repairing infrastructure before they could be reimbursed with the disaster funding which has come from the Federal and New South Wales Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
In March eight councils signed up to the New South Wales Government’s new disaster funding tripartite agreement pilot, enabling them to access advance funding at the beginning of each stage of reconstruction works.
The agreements mean less financial pressure on councils, faster repairs for communities after natural disasters and better collaboration between state and local government agencies.
Following the success of the initial pilot agreements, the State Government signed up more councils to help them unlock faster funding.
Under tranche two of the program, eight councils have already signed up and three more councils are in the process of signing up.
New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said that when a region is hit by a natural disaster, the last thing councils need to worry about is coming up with the cash to restore essential road and transport infrastructure.
“The new pilot agreement the New South Wales Government has struck with councils will now help more councils get on with the job faster, knowing they have the funds they will so desperately need,” Minister Scully said.
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said that the tripartite agreements are a great example of government working with communities to develop new solutions that improve disaster response.
“We are committed to building on the success of these agreements and rolling out more support to help communities rebuild faster after disasters,” Minister Dib said.
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said that prior to the 2022 natural disasters, state budgets only allocated around $190 million per year for disaster recovery for roads.
“It is fantastic that the New South Wales Government has rolled out more than $296 million in just three months,” Minister Aitchison said.
“With our record-breaking investment in this year’s budget of $3.3 billion for natural disaster road recovery, faster support is on the way for flood affected councils.
“The State Government’s new approach to disaster relief funding has been created to quickly support people in impacted communities by getting the money flowing quicker, and the road repairs delivered as fast as possible.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, said that the tripartite agreement pilot is a major advance in disaster recovery, and importantly, it paves the way to better procedural preparedness.
“It’s a first in that local councils get money upfront and don’t have to wait months or years for funding,” Ms Saffin said.
“It also means that all parties signed up to the agreements clearly understand and adhere to an assessment and acquittals process.
“I’ve received extremely positive feedback from Lismore City, Kyogle, Tweed Shire and Byron Shire councils who are already taking full advantage of the new arrangements, and now Tenterfield Shire Council is one of eleven councils coming onboard in tranche two.
“As Parliamentary Secretary I interact closely with most of these councils so I know what a difference it is making and will continue to make. I commend the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW for leading this new way of rebuilding roads and transport infrastructure.”
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, said that the Federal Government welcomes the efforts of the New South Wales Government to streamline support and get disaster funding to where it’s really needed.
“The last Higher Risk Weather Season saw 190 Local Government Areas nationally impacted – many in New South Wales and many more than once,” Minister Watt said.
“We understand that intense, compounding natural disaster events can be a challenge for councils, and can lead to financial strain.
“All levels of government are working in lockstep to get disaster recovery funding where it needs to go. That’s why last year the Federal Government provided nearly $900 million in advance disaster recovery payments to the New South Wales Government, to help fast track payments to councils following multiple, devastating events.
“It’s great to see various levels of government working together to find solutions that puts communities first.”
Image: Leah-Anne Thompson/shutterstock.com
